Revenge Of The Nobodies

Bart, Rita and Gwen feel small – but they’re about to find out it’s little things that make the big things happen

- Corne lLamprecht

BARTHOLOMEW was running as fast as his non-athletic 10-yearold physique would allow. His school shoes were slipping on the smooth floors each time he rounded a corner. He knew it was an offence to run in the school hallways, but he had to get away. The Paul pack was chasing him again!

* * *

“Could you take a pic of all the staff?” Milly asked, holding out her phone. Gwen felt as if a bucket of cold water had hit her face. Milly must have sensed at least some of her hesitation. “You don’t mind, do you? I need a picture of everyone for the newsletter.” And I don’t qualify as being part of “everyone”, even though I’ve been here for more than seven years, Gwen thought, hurt. “Yeah sure,” she forced a smile. “Great!” Milly turned, trotting off.

Raising her voice, she gathered everyone into one corner of the room, facing Gwen, isolated in the other. “Say CHEESE!” Gwen said brightly, and took the picture before everyone complied.

The group disassembled loudly, most making their way back to the champagne-baring table. The corporate breakfast celebration was getting rowdy. Milly ran towards Gwen to retrieve the phone. “Thanks, hon,” she said, before heading for the sparkling wine too. Gwen wondered for the millionth time what she was doing here. Especially when her own phone rang and she saw it was old Mrs Wilkinson.

* * *

Rita ran her tongue over her front teeth, as she’d done countless times in the past few weeks. She just couldn’t get used to how smooth it felt. Two years of wearing braces were over! No more “Rita Railway Mouth” jokes and jeers. “Just in time for the matric dance,” her mother had said, not knowing Rita wasn’t going.